Problem-based learning - is it right for Sri Lanka?

Paper

Macan Markar, Deborah, Madurapperuma, Ajith and Maroulis, Jerry. 2006. "Problem-based learning - is it right for Sri Lanka?" Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association Conference (APERA 2006): Educational Research, Policy, and Practice in an Era of Globalization: The Asia Pacific Perspectives and Beyond. Hong Kong, China 28 - 30 Nov 2006 Hong Kong.
Paper/Presentation Title

Problem-based learning - is it right for Sri Lanka?

Presentation TypePaper
AuthorsMacan Markar, Deborah (Author), Madurapperuma, Ajith (Author) and Maroulis, Jerry (Author)
Journal or Proceedings TitlePrcoeedings of the Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association Conference ( (APERA 2006)
Number of Pages24
Year2006
Place of PublicationHong Kong
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.ied.edu.hk/apera2006
Conference/EventAsia-Pacific Educational Research Association Conference (APERA 2006): Educational Research, Policy, and Practice in an Era of Globalization: The Asia Pacific Perspectives and Beyond
Event Details
Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association Conference (APERA 2006): Educational Research, Policy, and Practice in an Era of Globalization: The Asia Pacific Perspectives and Beyond
Event Date
28 to end of 30 Nov 2006
Event Location
Hong Kong, China
Abstract

Employers in the ICT sector in Sri Lanka are concerned about the soft skills of the graduates they employ. The training sector is aware of their concerns but find it challenging to nurture the appropriate skills and attitudes in students used to traditional, teacher-centred learning environments. Elsewhere in the world, problem-based learning has provided a solution for similar scenarios. However the learning environment in the Sri Lankan university sector challenges some of the basic assumptions generally made in implementing PBL i.e. that there will be free and open dialogue between students, that student teams will recognise each other as equal peers, that facilities to accommodate small group work can be made available. This paper describes a partially successful venture to introduce PBL to the public university system in Sri Lanka and identifies modifications that need to be made to the model in future implementations.

Keywordsproblem-based learning; PBL; soft skills; tertiary education; Sri Lanka
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390303. Higher education
390102. Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development
Public Notes

No indication of copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Business
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Faculty of Education
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